The Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute
The Thomistic Institute exists to promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square. The thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Universal Doctor of the Church, is our touchstone.
The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events, and much more.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
The Thomistic Institute Podcast features the lectures and talks from our conferences, campus chapters events, intellectual retreats, livestream events, and much more.
Founded in 2009, the Thomistic Institute is part of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, DC.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 25, 2019 • 60min
The Practice and Theory of Imagination in C.S. Lewis | Dr. Robert Royal
Dr. Robert Royal discusses C.S. Lewis' Christian imagination, the impact of his works, exploring spirituality in literature, vivid imagery in 'The Great Divorce,' the contrast between heaven and hell, the essence of literature in art, the Narnia stories' themes of transcendence, and the connection between past happiness and future aspirations.
Mar 22, 2019 • 54min
Tolkien’s Wizardry: How Metaphysics Molded Middle-Earth | Prof. Robert Koons
Prof. Robert Koons, an expert in Tolkien's works, discusses the influence of metaphysics on Middle-Earth. Topics include the privation theory of evil, divine providence, and free will. The conversation also explores Jackson's faithfulness to Tolkien, unintended consequences of influence, compromises in Tolkien's works, and the evolution of philosophy and theology in literature.
5 snips
Mar 21, 2019 • 1h 8min
A Pilgrim’s Progress: The Christian Imagination of Flannery O’Connor| Prof. Raymond Hain
Prof. Raymond Hain discusses Flannery O'Connor's Christian imagination, highlighting themes of grace, redemption, and suffering in comparison to authors like Tolkien and Lewis. The podcast explores O'Connor's unique writing style, characters' journey towards salvation, and the concept of eucatastrophe in her stories.
Mar 20, 2019 • 38min
Who Am I To Judge? Politics and Moral Relativism | Prof. Michael Gorman
Expert in politics and moral relativism, Prof. Michael Gorman delves into the implications of moral relativism in social and political life, highlighting the importance of embracing objective truths and ethical principles over a relativistic worldview.
Mar 18, 2019 • 57min
Why Did God Become Man? | Prof. Michael Gorman
Prof. Michael Gorman discusses the reasons behind Christ's incarnation, historical heresies, theological implications of the incarnation and atonement, divine knowledge vs. human limitations, and the paradox of God's chosen redemption method.
Mar 15, 2019 • 39min
A Reasonable God in the Public Square: Regensburg Revisited | Sohrab Ahmari
Author and journalist Sohrab Ahmari discusses his journey from atheism to Roman Catholicism in Iran, reflecting on the intersection of religion, reason, and the public square. He explores the role of God in politics, society, and journalism, highlighting the importance of religion in public discourse and the significance of a religious perspective in journalism for a comprehensive understanding of truth.
Mar 14, 2019 • 54min
Aquinas vs. Freud: The Problem of Unconscious Motivation | Prof. Therese Cory
Prof. Therese Cory, an expert in Aquinas and Freud, delves into the perspectives on unconscious motivation. Contrasting Aquinas and Freud's theories using a case study, they discuss how imagination influences behavior and therapy.
Mar 13, 2019 • 46min
What has the Historical Jesus to do with the Church's Christ? | Fr. Isaac Morales, OP
Fr. Isaac Morales, OP discusses the relationship between the historical Jesus and the Church's Christ, exploring the importance of historical context and skepticism towards miracles. The podcast delves into the struggles faced by individuals encountering discrepancies in the Bible, scholarly methodologies used to study Jesus historically, and the attribution of authorship to the Gospels in early Christianity.
Mar 12, 2019 • 36min
Evil and the Goodness of God: Aquinas on the Problem of Evil | Prof. Gloria Frost
Prof. Gloria Frost discusses Thomas Aquinas' perspective on evil as a lack of good, examining how it relates to human suffering and divine consolation. The conversation explores the concept of finding goodness in the midst of evil, likening it to the positive aspects of cell division in cancer cases.
Mar 11, 2019 • 1h 6min
Aquinas on Christ's Passion and the Sacraments | Fr. Dominic Langevin, OP
Fr. Dominic Langevin, Dominican priest, discusses Aquinas' views on Christ's Passion and the sacraments. Topics include the link between Christ's Passion and the sacraments, the concept of sacrifice in Christian tradition, the significance of Christ's suffering, the symbolism of sacraments as sacrifices, biblical themes in Daniel 4, and the relationship between Christ's Passion, sacrifice, and resurrection.
